A small plane crash on Thursday afternoon sent shockwaves through the community of Fullerton, California, after it collided with the roof of a commercial building, leading to the deaths of two individuals and injuring several others.
The aircraft, described as a single-engine Van's RV-10, crashed through the rooftop of the Michael Nicholas Designs furniture upholstery manufacturing facility, located about 25 miles southeast of Los Angeles. The incident unfolded around 2:15 PM PST, shortly after the pilot had taken off from the nearby Fullerton Municipal Airport.
According to the Fullerton Police Department, it is believed the two deceased were on board the plane, whereas 19 others who sustained injuries were working inside the factory at the time of the crash. Authorities reported around 11 individuals were transported to local hospitals for treatment, with several others treated and released from the scene.
Eyewitness accounts painted a vivid picture of the chaotic moments following the impact. "People are just shaken over the situation," recounted Mark Anderson, who witnessed the event firsthand. Security camera footage from Rucci Forge, located across the street, captured the plane tilting on its side as it dove toward the building, resulting in fiery explosions and columns of black smoke.
"It felt like a dream," said Juanita Ramirez, another worker at the furniture factory. She recalled the moment with alarm, describing how she heard a loud bang followed by seeing fire erupt. The response from local emergency services was swift; police and firefighters battled the blaze and worked to evacuate surrounding businesses.
Congressman Lou Correa, who serves the region, confirmed via social media platform X (formerly Twitter) about the tragic loss and noted at least a dozen victims were factory workers. This crash marked the second such incident near the Fullerton airport within two months, raising concerns about aviation safety protocols.
The pilot of the plane had reportedly requested to make an emergency landing shortly after takeoff due to unexplained issues. Authorities have not yet disclosed the exact circumstances leading up to the crash, but investigations are being conducted by both the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The Fullerton Municipal Airport, which does not handle commercial flights, has one 3,121-foot runway. With the airport located near residential areas and commercial warehouses, emergencies such as this present significant risks to local communities. Mayor Fred Jung addressed the incident, expressing condolences to families affected and gratitude for the community's resilience during such challenging times.
"We are grateful for the strength of our community and the compassion we show one another in times of crisis," Jung stated, emphasizing the local government's commitment to supporting those impacted by the crash.
Witnesses described the scene as both frightening and surreal, with many recalling the immediate roar of the explosion followed by the frantic evacuation of personnel from the building. Over 100 people were evacuated from the site, showcasing the wide impact of the incident.
The aftermath of the crash leaves Fullerton grappling with grief, and the investigation will seek to comprehend what went wrong with the flight. The community is now focused on recovery, ensuring safety measures are reviewed thoroughly to prevent such tragedies from reoccurring.
With memories of this devastating event weighing heavily on the hearts of many, there is hope for healing and support for affected families as the investigation continues.